Civic Basics
Understand the government
before you vote.
Political Lens explains government roles, election terms, and civic basics in plain English so voters can better understand what candidates can actually do if elected.
Starter chapters
Pick a topic to read.
16 chapters · neutral, source-cited
- Constitution#01
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments — and the first 10 are the Bill of Rights.
Read chapter - Government#02
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative makes the laws, executive carries them out, judicial decides what they mean.
Read chapter - Government#03
How does a bill become law?
Bill is introduced, debated and amended, passed by both chambers, then signed or vetoed.
Read chapter - Government#04
Federal vs State vs Local government
Federal sets national rules, state runs most laws and courts, local handles schools, streets, and zoning.
Read chapter - Government#05
What does “checks and balances” mean?
Each branch has tools to limit the others, so no single branch becomes too powerful.
Read chapter - Elections#06
What is a primary election?
An earlier election where each party chooses the candidate who will appear on the general-election ballot.
Read chapter - Elections#07
What is a runoff election?
A follow-up election between the top finishers when no one wins outright.
Read chapter - Elections#08
What is a nonpartisan race?
A race where candidates appear on the ballot without a party label next to their name.
Read chapter - Ballot#09
What is a ballot proposition?
A yes/no question on the ballot that asks voters to decide a policy or constitutional change directly.
Read chapter - Ballot#10
What is a bond election?
A vote that asks permission for a government body to borrow money for a specific project.
Read chapter - Government#11
What does local government control?
Schools, streets, water, police and fire, zoning, libraries, parks, and local property taxes.
Read chapter - Government#12
How do local budgets work?
Local governments adopt a yearly budget that spells out where revenue comes from and how it is spent.
Read chapter - Government#13
Who controls property taxes?
Local taxing entities — mostly school districts, counties, and cities — set the rates; the state sets the rules.
Read chapter - Government#14
What does a school district control?
K–12 public schools: hiring the superintendent, approving the budget, setting the local tax rate, and approving bonds.
Read chapter - Government#15
How do property taxes fund schools?
Most U.S. school districts get a large share of their money from local property taxes set by the school board.
Read chapter - Government#16
What does the state legislature do?
Writes state laws, sets the state budget, and sets the rules that local governments must follow.
Read chapter
Neutral, plain English
No opinions, no partisan framing.
Official sources
Chapters cite .gov sources where possible.
Built for voters
Short answers first, then the details.